The following questions and answers are for general information purposes only and are not advice for a particular patient or dental condition.
Q: My appointment seems long. Does it take
that much time?
A: Many appointments are completed quickly. However, depending on what you
need, we may need to schedule you for an extended period. It is better to
finish the work in as few appointments as possible.
Q: I don't like to have x-rays. Why are they
necessary?
A: New x-ray machines create very little exposure. X-rays still provide the
best way to diagnose many problems, which can remain unnoticed and become
severe later on. We take as few x-rays as possible to accomplish the job.
Q: Why do I need to provide other health information?
A: Many health conditions and medications have a direct and sometimes serious
impact on dental health and dentistry. It is critical that you provide detailed
information. Your privacy is assured.
Q: Do you treat HIV+ patients?
A: Absoutely. It is unethical for a dentist to refuse to treat a patient based
on HIV status. See ADA Code of Professional Ethics (opens in new window).
Q: I've heard that old fillings (amalgam)
are bad for you? Should I have
them replaced?
A:The ADA has determined that current scientific evidence does not support
the removal of amalgam for non-allergic patients. The reason for replacing
old filliings is aesthtics, new materials are tooth-colored and look natural.
Q: How do I care for dental emergencies?
A: Broken tooth or filling: Keep area clean and contact dentist immediately.
Using over the counter fillers can be harmful if left too long. The best solution
is quick care. Whole tooth knocked out: Keep tooth from drying out. Put in
some milk, water, or saline gauze. Reimplantation within half an hour is best.
If you cannot see a dentist in that timeframe, try to reimplant tooth into
socket yourself and see dentist as soon as possible. Toothache: Do not ignore
toothaches! Keep tooth/mouth clean and contact dentist. Use over the counter
pain killers to help with pain. Broken jaw/bones: Keep from swelling and go
to emergency room. Something stuck: Contact dentist. Never use sharp or metal
instruments. Facial/jaw swelling and/or pain: Contact dentist immediately
or call emergency room. These symptoms can often be severe, even life-threatening.
Cosmetic Dentistry Questions
Q: What is tooth whitening/bleaching. Do I
need a dentist or should I use over the counter whiteners?
A: It's actually not "bleach" but a gel that reacts with stains
in the enamel of your teeth. The gel does not harm the enamel. Everyone's
teeth respond in a unique way to bleaching and whitening. Some people will
see dramatic results in a short time, others will see little results or need
lengthier treatment to achieve desired results.
Over-the-counter whitening kits work the same way. Some things to consider and be aware of are: they can vary in quality of materials, the gel may more easily get onto your gums and cause irritation, gel may be swallowed due to one-size-fits all bleaching trays, unhealthy teeth may be traumatized, wrong size trays can feel uncomfortable in your mouth as well as irritate TMJ problems, and, most importantly, whitening results are more unpredictable. Obviously, your dentist is the best person to help you decide which method of whitening is best for your needs and conditions.
Gum Health and Disease Questions
Q: How do I know if I have gum disease?
A: Gum disease is different than periodontal disease. Gum disease is the beginning
stages of periodontial disease. In the first stages of gum disease, it is
100% reversable with very simple procedures in the office and good home care.
Some signs of periodontal disease are: bleeding gums, redness of gum tissue,
swelling of gums around the teeth, breath odor, receding gums, mobility of
teeth.
Even if you have a more advanced stage of periodontal disease, we can work with you to prevent further worsening of the condition. Periodontal disease is one of the most common oral health problems, and one of the most overlooked. You can have perfect teeth, but without good gum health, you could lose your teeth anyway. The best way to catch periodontal problems early is to keep regular check-ups and maintain good oral hygiene. Early detection requires measurements performed on your gums, not just a visual check. Some damage caused by disease progression can be irreversible.
For more information on periodontal/gum health, see the American Academy of Periodontology site at http://www.perio.org/consumer/faq.htm (Will open in new window.)
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